Spatiotemporal Variability in Disturbance Frequency and Severity across Mexico: Evidence from Conifer Tree Rings

Abstract

It is critical to understand the ecological processes of forest dynamics by identifying past forest disturbances to take appropriate management actions. Tree-rings are commonly used for this purpose due to their reliability and accuracy. Here, we used a network of ring-width data distributed along a broad ecological gradient for the spatiotemporal identification of forest disturbances in 15 species of 13 sites of young Mexican conifers. We found different spatial and temporal patterns in the occurrence of forest disturbance. The species with the highest disturbance rates were Pinus patula (Ppa; El Jacalón), Pinus montezumae (Pmo; La Cueva), Pinus hartwegii (Phc; Cerro El Moro), and Pinus teocote (Pts; Rancho Joyas del Durazno) of the Gulf of Mexico, and Pinus ayacahuite (Pay; Corral de los Borregos) of the Mexico Center. The highest number of disturbances was found in 1953, 1956, 1976, and 1980; however, we noted that the number of disturbances tended to increase from 1975 to 1990 and particularly from 2000 onwards. The species close to the Gulf of Mexico presented a higher frequency and severity of disturbances than those located close to the Pacific Ocean. Thus, our results demonstrate a spatiotemporal pattern of disturbance events, which deserves further analysis, including regarding the drivers of disturbance. This knowledge is crucial for a better understanding of the dynamics of contemporary species.